They can work but more often they're too complex and require more fine motor control than you'll manage in a situation that is practically seething with adrenaline. So more likely, you'll instinctively try them, screw it up, and get your hand hurt.

well... a largo mano would be the correct approach when dealing with Eskrima.. because escrima sets the rule of hitting the closest object to oneself (ie the hand) and then every other vital blow that one can execute... and... if one has the option for a disarm then one takes it.. With regards to the other topic, about the disarms "being too complex", there are many disarms that are quite simple... if you find a good teacher the training will show you how to make disarms "second nature".. of course, the training is only there as a point of reference... there are disarms from every point of reference... so no matter where one finds oneself (angle of attack or other positions), one can take the option of disarm if one chooses to... by rule, Kali (eskrima) teaches to hit, with deadly precision and intention, at every possible chance, the disarms happens mostly when the opponent is stunned (or not well trained)... Disarms can be quite useful... in my opinion the goal of a martial artist is to have complete control of their opponent (and any situation)....

They can work but more often they're too complex and require more fine motor control than you'll manage in a situation that is practically seething with adrenaline. So more likely, you'll instinctively try them, screw it up, and get your hand hurt.

The ones I'm learning are simple and actually the same as JJ techniques (wrist, arm, head) and like those, only work when used by good people. Like the only time I've seen big aggressive guys dance around controlled by one hand on their wrist was when 4th Dan Yukio Kono or his 4 Dan buddy came down to our dojo to spar. Normal martial artists don't get to use this stuff because we are shitty at it; they work fine, just do 'em in hard fast drills for a decade or two.

"Preparing mentally, the most important thing is, if you aren't doing it for the love of it, then don't do it." - Benny Urquidez

When you have first "earned" the disarm by substantially damaging/diminishing your opponent first.

No doubt some of the more "finesse" disarms aren't likely to work against a non-diminished opponent. But cut/smash up their arms and hands a bit, or wear them out, and many possibilities will become available.